US7717926B2 - Endoscopic surgical clip applier - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue has a handle portion with a body extending distally from the handle portion defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the body. The apparatus also has a jaw assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body with the jaw assembly including first and second jaw portions movable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. The apparatus further has a wedge plate longitudinally movable between the first and the second jaw portions, and a clip pusher configured to individually distally advance a surgical clip to the jaw assembly while the jaw portions are in the spaced apart position with an actuator. The actuator is at least partially disposed within the body and longitudinally movable in response to actuation of the handle portion and has a cam link. The apparatus also has a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the first and second jaw portions to move the jaw portions to the approximated position. The cam link longitudinally moves wedge plate between the first and the second jaw portions.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The instant patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/617,104 filed on Oct. 8, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/617,016 filed on Oct. 8, 2004 which are both herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to surgical clip appliers and more particularly to an endoscopic surgical clip applier having a mechanism for stabilizing the jaw structure during the insertion of a surgical clip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Endoscopic staplers and clip appliers are known in the art and are used for a number of distinct and useful surgical procedures. In the case of a laparoscopic surgical procedure, access to the interior of an abdomen is achieved through narrow tubes or cannulas inserted through a small entrance incision in the skin. Minimally invasive procedures performed elsewhere in the body are often generally referred to as endoscopic procedures. Typically, a tube or cannula device is extended into the patient's body through the entrance incision to provide an access port. The port allows the surgeon to insert a number of different surgical instruments therethrough using a trocar and for performing surgical procedures far removed from the incision.

During a majority of these procedures, the surgeon must often terminate the flow of blood or another fluid through one or more vessels. The surgeon will often apply a surgical clip to a blood vessel or another duct to prevent the flow of body fluids therethrough during the procedure. An endoscopic clip applier is known in the art for applying a single clip during an entry to the body cavity. Such single clip appliers are typically fabricated from a biocompatible material and are usually compressed over a vessel. Once applied to the vessel, the compressed clip terminates the flow of fluid therethrough.

One significant design goal is that the surgical clip be loaded between the jaws without any compression of the clip from the loading procedure. Such bending or torque of the clip during loading is disfavored and care is exercised to prevent any damage to the jaws and/or the clip or compression to the clip by a force during loading. This compression could slightly alter the alignment of the clip between the jaws, or damage the clip causing the surgeon to remove the clip from between the jaws for discarding the clip. Additionally such preloading compression may slight compress parts of the clip and change the geometry of the clip. This will cause the surgeon to remove the compressed clip from between the jaws for discarding the clip. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that eliminates one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks and deficiencies of the art.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue. The apparatus has a handle portion with a body extending distally from the handle portion defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the body. The apparatus also has a jaw assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body with the jaw assembly including first and second jaw portions movable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. The apparatus further has a wedge plate longitudinally movable between the first and the second jaw portions, and a clip pusher configured to individually distally advance a surgical clip to the jaw assembly while the jaw portions are in the spaced apart position with an actuator. The actuator is at least partially disposed within the body and longitudinally movable in response to actuation of the handle portion and has a cam link. The apparatus also has a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the first and second jaw portions to move the jaw portions to the approximated position. The cam link longitudinally moves wedge plate between the first and the second jaw portions.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the wedge plate biasing the first and the second jaw portions when said wedge plate is longitudinally moved between the first and the second jaw portions and the wedge plate maintains the first and the second jaw portions in a fixed predetermined relationship during loading of the clip. The fixed predetermined relationship prevents flexing of the first and the second jaw members during clip loading.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the wedge plate with a rounded distal tip.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the wedge plate with a first proximal window. The first proximal window is adapted to be engaged by a member disposed in the body with the member being configured to hold the wedge plate in a distal most position. The distal most position being between the first and the second jaw members.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the wedge plate with a second proximal window. The second proximal window is adapted to be engaged by the member and the second proximal window is configured to hold the wedge plate in a proximal most position retracted from the first and the second jaw members. The proximal most position of the wedge plate is configured to allow the first and the second jaw members to be moved to the approximated position to compress the clip.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the first proximal window connected to the second proximal window by a longitudinal slot.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the member movable from the second proximal window to first proximal window by moving the wedge plate distally.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the cam link engageable with a cam slot in the wedge plate. The cam slot has a driving edge.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the member is a flexible leg.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the cam slot with a proximal side and a distal side. At the distal side, the cam link traverses past the driving edge at a demarcation line. At the demarcation line, the cam link terminates distal movement of the wedge plate.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the wedge plate further comprising a biasing device. At the demarcation line, the disengagement between the cam link and the driving edge permits the biasing device to retract the wedge plate.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cam link disengages the wedge plate at the demarcation line, and the disengagement of the cam link permits retraction of the rounded distal end from between the first and the second jaw members.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue. The apparatus has a handle portion and a body extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis with a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the body and a jaw assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body. The jaw assembly has first and second jaw portions movable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. The apparatus also has a clip pusher configured to individually distally advance a surgical clip to the jaw assembly while the jaw portions are in the spaced apart position and an actuator at least partially disposed within the body and longitudinally movable in response to actuation of the handle portion. The actuator is biased to longitudinally move proximally. The apparatus also has a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the first and second jaw portions to move the jaw portions to the approximated position and a rack having a plurality of ratchet teeth being connected to the actuator with a pawl biased to the handle portion. The pawl has at least one tooth configured to engage the ratchet teeth. As the actuator is moved longitudinally, the plurality of ratchet teeth are passed over the pawl and the pawl is configured to prevent inadvertent return of the actuator before full actuation of the apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the pawl is biased by a spring and the spring is connected to the handle portion to bias the pawl into engagement with the rack.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the pawl is pivotally mounted in the handle portion.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, when actuation of the handle portion is terminated in mid stroke, the ratchet teeth restrain the pawl against proximal motion, and any inadvertent partial actuation of the jaw assembly is prevented.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the first jaw and second portions moved to the approximated position and the ratchet teeth are advanced a predetermined distance past the pawl to permit retraction of the actuator.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue. The apparatus has a handle assembly with a handle and a trigger movable relative to the handle, and a body extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The apparatus also has a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the body and a jaw assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body with the jaw assembly including first and second jaw portions movable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. The apparatus further has a clip pusher configured to individually distally advance a surgical clip to the jaw assembly while the jaw portions are in the spaced-apart position and an actuator at least partially disposed within the body and longitudinally movable in response to actuation of the handle portion. The apparatus also has a link connected at a first end to the actuator and connected at a second end to the trigger with a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the first and second jaw portions to move the jaw portions to the approximated position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the link is connected to a rack having a plurality of ratchet teeth and the ratchet teeth are connected to a pawl and are configured to prevent inadvertent return of the actuator before full actuation of the apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the pawl biased to the handle. As the trigger is actuated the link is advanced distally and the link advances the rack distally. The pawl ratchet teeth slide along the pawl.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the apparatus has the pawl is pivotally connected to the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A particular embodiment of a surgical clip applier is disclosed herein with reference to the drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical clip applier;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the surgical clip applier ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the jaw structure of the surgical clip applier;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the surgical clip applier;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the surgical clip applier;

FIG. 6 is a side view, with half of the body removed, of the handle assembly of the surgical clip applier;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the handle of the clip applier, with shaft assembly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pawl;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a yoke;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the shaft assembly of the surgical clip applier;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a feed bar;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a follower and surgical clips;

FIGS. 10C and 10D are opposite perspective views of a trip block;

FIG. 10E is a perspective view of a spindle;

FIG. 10G is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 10E;

FIG. 10F is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 10E;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the distal end of the spindle and a driver;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a trip lever mechanism on the spindle;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a wedge plate and biasing spring;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are opposite perspective views of a filler component;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the rotation knob and shaft assembly;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the overpressure assembly;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the spindle and jaw assembly;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged area of detail of the spindle and jaw assembly ofFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged area of detail of the spindle and trip lever ofFIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the distal end of the surgical clip applier with outer tube removed;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the surgical clip applier shaft assembly with parts removed;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged area at detail ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the spindle, driver and jaw assembly;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 26;

FIG. 27A is a cross-sectional view taken alongline27A-27A ofFIG. 27.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the cam link and wedge plate assembly;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the filler component and jaw assembly;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged perspective view of the jaw assembly ofFIG. 31;

FIGS. 33 and 34 are perspective views of the distal end of the spindle including wedge plate and driver;

FIG. 35 is a side view, partially shown in section, of the surgical clip applier in a pre-fired condition;

FIG. 36 is in enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 35;

FIG. 38 is in enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 37 showing the trip lever;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 37 showing the follower;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged the area of detail ofFIG. 37;

FIG. 41 is enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a side view, shown in section, of the distal end of the surgical clip applier ofFIG. 37;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the wedge plate and jaw assembly;

FIG. 44 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 43 showing the wedge plate and jaw members;

FIG. 45 is a top view ofFIG. 43 taken along line45-45;

FIG. 46 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 45 showing the jaw and the wedge plate;

FIG. 47 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 45 showing the wedge plate and cam link;

FIG. 48 is a side view, shown in section, of the handle housing at the beginning of an initial stroke;

FIG. 49 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 48 showing the rack and pawl;

FIG. 50 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 48 similar toFIG. 49;

FIG. 51 is a side view, shown in section, of the feed bar and trip lever;

FIG. 52 is a side view, shown in section, of the follower;

FIG. 53 is a side view, shown in section, of the endoscopic portion of the surgical clip applier;

FIG. 54 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 53 illustrating the spindle movement;

FIG. 55 is a top view of the wedge plate and filler component illustrating the movement of the cam link;

FIG. 56 is a side view, shown in section, illustrating the feed bar advancing a clip;

FIG. 57 is a top view of the wedge plate and cam link moving distally;

FIG. 58 is a side view, shown in section, showing the movement of the flexible leg cammed out of a wedge plate window;

FIG. 59 is a side view, shown in section, illustrating a clip entering the jaws;

FIG. 60 is a further top view of the cam link and wedge plate movement;

FIG. 61 is a side view, shown in section, of the flexible leg and wedge plate disengagement;

FIG. 62 is a top view of the wedge plate entering the jaw structure;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view illustrating the wedge plate camming open the jaw structure;

FIG. 64 is a top view illustrating further advancement of the cam link in the wedge plate;

FIG. 65 is a side view, shown in section, illustrating the trip lever engaged with the feed bar;

FIG. 66 is a side view, shown in section, illustrating the spindle camming the flexible leg out of engagement with the wedge plate;

FIG. 67 is a side view, shown in section, illustrating the feed bar loading a clip into the jaw structure;

FIG. 68 is a side view, shown in section, illustrating the trip lever being cammed out of engagement with the feed bar by means of a trip block;

FIG. 69 is a side view, shown in section, illustrating the retraction of the wedge plate and feed bar;

FIG. 70 is a side view, shown in section, illustrating further advancement of the spindle;

FIG. 71 is a side view, shown in section, illustrating the retraction of the wedge plate and further advancement of the spindle;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of the wedge plate retracting from the jaw structure;

FIG. 73 is a side view, shown in section, with the spindle engaging the driver and a latch retractor engaging the spindle;

FIG. 74 is a side view of the handle housing with the trigger at full stroke;

FIG. 75 is an enlarged area of detail ofFIG. 74 with the pawl clearing the ratchet rack;

FIG. 76 is a side view, shown in section, of the driver camming the jaws closed about a surgical clip;

FIGS. 77 to 79 are sequential views of the driver camming the jaws closed about a surgical clip;

FIG. 80 is a view, shown in section, of the overpressure mechanism including the impact spring;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of a surgical clip formed on a vessel;

FIG. 82 is an enlarged area of detail of the ratchet mechanism resetting;

FIG. 83 is a side view, shown in section, illustrating the latch retractor resetting;

FIG. 84 is a side view, shown in section, illustrating the spindle retracting; and

FIGS. 85 and 86 are top views illustrating the cam link resetting within the wedge plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is disclosed a novel endoscopic surgical clip applier having a jaw control mechanism configured to maintain jaws of the surgical clip applier in a spaced apart and stable position during insertion of a surgical clip. It should be noted that, while the disclosed jaw control mechanism is shown and described in an endoscopic surgical clip applier, the disclosed jaw control mechanism is applicable to any surgical clip applier or other instrument having a pair of compressible jaws.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-5,surgical clip applier10 generally includes ahandle assembly12 and an endoscopic portion including anelongated tubular member14 extending distally fromhandle assembly12. Handleassembly12 is formed of a plastic material whileelongated tubular member14 is formed of a biocompatible material such as stainless steel. A pair ofjaws16 are mounted on the distal end of elongatedtubular member14 and are actuated by atrigger18 movably mounted inhandle assembly12.Jaws16 are also formed of a biocompatible material such as stainless steel or titanium. Aknob20 is rotatably mounted on a distal end ofhandle assembly12 and affixed to elongatedtubular member14 to provide 360 degree rotation of elongatedtubular member14 andjaws16 about its longitudinal axis. Referring for the moment toFIG. 3,jaws16 define achannel22 for receipt of a surgical clip therein.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 and 7, handleassembly12 ofclip applier10 is shown. Handleassembly12 includes a longitudinallymovable yoke24 connected to trigger18 by alink26. Handleassembly12 includeshousing channels28 to guideyoke wings30 ofyoke24 withinhandle assembly12 during actuation ofclip applier10.Yoke24 is connected to the drive mechanisms and is biased to a proximal position by areturn spring32.Knob20 includes aflange34 which is rotatably mounted in ajournal36 inhousing12.

Referring toFIGS. 6-9, in order to prevent inadvertent return oftrigger18 andyoke24 before full actuation ofsurgical instrument10,yoke24 includes arack38 havingrack teeth40. Apawl42 is pivotally mounted inhandle assembly12 and includespawl teeth44 engageable withrack teeth40.Pawl42 is biased into engagement withrack38 by aspring46.Rack38 andpawl42 prevent release oftrigger18 before full actuation in a manner described in more detail hereinbelow.

Combinations of the various elements and mechanisms associated withclip applier10 will now be described.

Referring toFIG. 10, abushing48, including retention pins50, is provided to secure thebushing48 to theknob20. Adrive link52 is connected, typically with a snap type connection, toyoke24 such that a proximal end ofdrive link52 engagesyoke24. An over pressure mechanism including animpact spring56 is provided aboutouter tube14, betweenbushing48 and housed in a bore ofknob20 to prevent over compression ofjaws16 during actuation of the instrument in a manner described in more detail hereinbelow. Drivelink52 extends through abore58 inknob20.

A flange located at a proximal end ofelongated tube member14 abuts a proximal end ofbushing48.

In order to actuate the various components there is provided an actuation mechanism orspindle60 mounted for longitudinal movement through elongatedtubular member14.Spindle60 includes aboss62 at its proximal end which is engageable with a recess64 on the distal end ofdrive link52. A camming mechanism including adriver66 and a slider joint68 extend from a distal end ofspindle60 to cam closedjaws16 about a surgical clip.

Clip applier10 is configured to retain a plurality of surgical clips for application to tissue.Clip applier10 includes anelongated channel member70 configured to retain a plurality ofsurgical clips72 and conveysurgical clips72 tojaws16. It should be noted thatchannel member70 andjaws16 do not move longitudinally relative toelongated tubular member14. Afollower74 is biased by aspring76 to urgesurgical clips72 distally withinchannel member70. Achannel cover78 overlieschannel70 to retain and guidespring76 andsurgical clips72 therein. Anose80 is provided at a distal end ofchannel cover78 to assist in directingsurgical clips72 intojaws16.

A feeder mechanism including afeed bar82 is provided for longitudinal movement relative to channelcover78 in order to advanceindividual clips72 intojaws16. Atrip block84 having aguide pin86 and a feed bar spring88 are provided adjacent the proximal end ofchannel cover78 tobias feed bar82 in a proximal direction. Specifically, aproximal end90 ofguide pin86 is interconnected with ahook92 on an underside of feed bar82 (FIGS. 38A & B) and throughslot94 intrip block84. (See alsoFIGS. 10 A, C, & D) In order forspindle60 to movefeed bar82,spindle60 is provided with atrip lever96 and a biasingspring98.Trip lever96 is engageable with a proximal end offeed bar82 in a manner described in more detail herein below.

A notable advantage of presently disclosedclip applier10 is that it is provided with awedge plate100 which is configured to advance intojaws16 during actuation ofsurgical clip applier10 and maintainjaws16 in a spaced apart condition while receiving asurgical clip72. Cam slot136 (FIG. 13), described in detail hereinbelow, formed throughwedge plate100 and afiller component102 mounted withinelongated tubular member14, cooperate in connection with acam link104, provided onspindle60, to movewedge plate100 relative tofiller component102 andjaws16.Filler component102 is positioned directly behindjaws16 and does not move relative toelongated tubular member14.

Turning toFIG. 10A, and as noted above, feedbar82 is provided to movesurgical clips72 intojaws16.Feed bar82 is driven bytrip lever96 onspindle60. (SeeFIG. 10.) Specifically, feedbar82 is provided with anelongated window106 which is configured to be engaged bytrip lever96 asspindle60 is driven distally. To facilitate insertion of the clip intojaws16,feed bar82 is provided with apusher108 at its distal end which is configured to advance anindividual clip72 out of the line ofclips72 and intojaws16. As shown inFIG. 10B,follower74 is positioned behind the line of clips to advanceclips72 throughsurgical clip applier10.

Referring toFIG. 10C, as noted above,trip block84 includes aslot94 to receivehook92 offeed bar82. In order to disengagetrip lever96 fromwindow106 and thus feedbar82,trip block84 is provided with anangled surfaces110 which is configured to engagetrip lever96 and disengage it fromwindow106 offeed bar82 as best shown inFIG. 10D.

Referring now toFIGS. 10E-10G, various features ofspindle60 will now be described. A perspective view ofspindle60, isolated from other components is shown inFIG. 10E. With specific reference toFIG. 10F, at a proximal end,spindle60 includes apivot point112 for attachment oftrip lever96 at its proximal end. Additionally, aboss114 is provided inspindle60 for attachment of biasingspring98 to biastrip lever96 into engagement withwindow106 offeed bar82. Similarly, with respect toFIG. 10G, at a distal end,spindle60 is provided with aboss116 for mountingcam link104.Spindle60 is additionally provided with a raisedfeature118 which functions to disengagefiller component102 fromwedge plate100 in a manner described in hereinbelow.

Referring toFIG. 11,spindle60 is provided to advancedriver66 into engagement withjaws16 to closejaws16 about a surgical clip after the surgical clip has been positioned withinjaws16. Adistal end120 of slider joint68 resides in arecess122 indriver66. Aproximal projection124 of slider joint68 rides within alongitudinal slot126 in the distal end ofspindle60. The length oflongitudinal slot126 allowsspindle60 to move a predetermined longitudinal distance before engaging and movingdriver66 longitudinally to closejaws16 about aclip72. Alatch retractor128 is provided within aslot130 in slider joint68 so as to allowdriver66 to be driven distally afterwedge plate100 has been allowed to retract proximally in a manner described in more detail hereinbelow. Aspindle guard132 is provided betweenlatch retractor128 and the surface ofspindle60 to prevent damage to the plastic surface ofspindle60 by the surface oflatch retractor128.

Referring now toFIG. 13,wedge plate100 will be described in more detail. As noted above,wedge plate100 is provided to maintainjaws16 in a spaced apart condition during loading of asurgical clip72 withinjaws16. Additionally, the presence ofwedge plate100 provides stability tojaws16 to prevent them from flexing during loading ofsurgical clip72. As shown,wedge plate100 includes adistal tip134 which is configured to engage andcam jaws16 open and maintain them in a spaced condition. Additionally,wedge plate100 includes acam slot136 which is configured to cooperate withcam link104 mounted onspindle60 to control the motions ofwedge plate100 as discussed in more detail below. Further, distal andproximal windows138 and140, respectively, are provided to engage flexible structure on thefiller component102. A biasingspring142 is provided on amount144 to biaswedge plate100 generally proximally withinelongated tubular member14. Finally, astop146 is configured to engage corresponding structure onfiller component102.

Referring now toFIGS. 14 and 15, various aspects offiller component102 will now be described.Filler component102 includes aflexible leg152 which is configured to engage distal andproximal windows138 and140 inwedge plate100.Filler component102 also includes anelongated cam slot148 configured to receive part ofcam link104. A disengagingedge150 is provided withincam slot148 to facilitate disengagingcam link104 from withincam slot136 inwedge plate100.Filler component102 additionally includes arecess154 for engagement withstop146 on wedge plate100 (FIG. 13), to limit the proximal retraction ofwedge plate100, as well as alongitudinal recess156 to accommodate the length ofreturn spring142 ofwedge plate100.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate the position ofimpact spring56 relative torotation knob20. As noted above,impact spring56 is provided as an over pressure mechanism to prevent over compression ofjaws16 during the crimping of asurgical clip72 as described in more detail below with respect to the operation ofsurgical clip applier10. The over pressure mechanism is designed to prevent overstroke oftrigger18 applied by the surgeon and ultimately prevent damage tojaws16.

Referring toFIGS. 18-20,spindle60 and related drive components are shown with elongatedtubular member14 removed. Specifically, with regard toFIG. 19,pusher108 offeed bar82 extends through aslot158 innose80 to engage asurgical clip72. Similarly, as shown inFIG. 20, at a proximal end ofspindle60,trip lever96 extends throughwindow106 infeed bar82. In this position,trip lever96 can engage an edge ofslot106 to drivefeed bar82 distally along withspindle60 through elongatedtubular member14.

Referring toFIG. 21, there is a view similar toFIG. 19, however,nose80 has been removed to illustratepusher108 engaging asurgical clip72 located inchannel70.

Referring now toFIG. 22,spindle60 and associated components are shown withfeed bar82 removed.

Referring toFIG. 23, there are illustratedmultiple clips72 positioned withinchannel70 for supply tojaws16 at a distal end ofspindle60.Clips72 are arranged in longitudinal alignment withinchannel70.Retention fingers71 are provided at a distal end ofchannel70 to restrain a stack ofclips72 withinchannel70 until advanced intojaws16 byfeed bar82.

Referring toFIG. 24, there is illustrated an intermediate section ofspindle60 assembled withfollower74 andfollower spring76. As noted,spring76biases follower74 distally relative to spindle60.

With reference toFIG. 25, there is illustratedspindle60 assembled withtrip lever96 and biasingspring98, withtrip lever96 being biased into a upward most position by biasingspring98.

Referring toFIGS. 26 and 27, an opposed side ofspindle60 assembled withdriver66 aboutjaws16 is illustrated. As noted above,driver66 is configured tocam jaws16 closed about a surgical clip. Thus,jaws16 include angled camming surfaces160 for receipt of corresponding camming surfaces184 (FIG. 34) ofdriver66. A pocket187 (FIG. 31) in the proximal end ofjaws16 limits the retraction ofdriver66. Specifically,protrusion186 of slider joint68 engagespocket187 ofjaws16. (SeeFIGS. 31 & 34).

Referring for the moment toFIG. 27A, camming surfaces160 onjaws16 and corresponding camming surfaces184 ofdriver66 are smoothly rounded, curved or radiused. By forming these camming surfaces in this manner, the friction between camming surfaces160 and184 is greatly reduced providing an improved smooth closure ofjaws16 aboutclip72.

Referring toFIGS. 28-30, the relative assembled positions ofchannel70,trip lock84,wedge plate100 andfiller component102 will now be described. Referring initially toFIGS. 29 and 30,filler component102 is positioned onchannel70. Proximal end offiller component102 abuts astop162 positioned onchannel70. Thewedge plate100 lies overfiller component102 in the manner shown. As best shown inFIG. 30,filler component102 includes acam slot148 having a disengagingedge150 formed withincam slot148. Similarly,wedge plate100 includes acam slot136. As noted above, acam link104 is provided attached to spindle60 (not shown) in order to drivewedge plate100 distally. To facilitate drivingwedge plate100,cam link104 is provided with acam link boss164 which rides incam slots136 and148 ofwedge plate100 andfiller component102 respectively. As cam link104 is advanced distally relative to wedgeplate100cam link boss164 engages a drivingedge166 ofwedge plate100 to drivewedge plate100 distally. In the manner described hereinafter, oncecam link104, and in particularcam link boss164, engages disengagingedge150 offiller component102cam link boss164 is cammed out of engagement of drivingedge166.

Referring toFIG. 30,filler component102 is provided with aflexible leg152 which is movable between distal andproximal windows138,140, respectively, ofwedge plate100. In order to camflexible leg152 out of one of the proximal or distal windows, there is provided acam surface168 onflexible leg152 which camsflexible leg152 out of the windows in response to relative movement ofwedge plate100 relative tofiller component102.

As noted hereinabove,jaws16 are provided to receive and crimpsurgical clips72 positioned therein. Referring toFIGS. 31 and 32,jaws16 generally include a pair offlexible legs170 fixed to abase172. Jaw members16A and16B are located at a distal end offlexible legs170. A pair of lockingarms174 extend distally frombase172 and terminate intabs176.Tabs176 are configured to engage correspondingholes177 on elongated tube14 (FIG. 10) to securejaws16 toelongated tube14.Jaws16 includechannel22 for receipt ofsurgical clips72. As shown,filler component102 is positioned directly behindjaws16 and, as withjaws16, does not move longitudinally relative to outertubular member14.

Referring for the moment toFIG. 32,jaws16 are configured to receivewedge plate100 such that thedistal tip134 ofwedge plate100 is used to initiallyseparate jaws section16aand16band maintain them in a separated and aligned configuration during insertion of a surgical clip intojaws16. As noted, this prevents any torquing or flexing ofjaw16arelative tojaw16bwhile asurgical clip72 is being loaded therein. Each offlexible legs170 includes a cam edge178 (seeFIGS. 44 & 63) to guidedistal tip134 ofwedge plate100 withinjaws16.

Referring toFIG. 33,wedge plate100 is illustrated positioned onspindle60 such thatlatch retractor128 extends through aslot182 inwedge plate100. As best shown inFIG. 34, withwedge plate100 removed, it can be seen that a distal end ofdriver60 is provided with camming surfaces184. Camming surfaces184 cooperate withcam surfaces160 onjaws16, (seeFIG. 27), tocam jaws16 together in response to longitudinal movement ofdriver60 relative tojaws16.Protrusion186 on slider joint68 extends through aslot188 inwedge plate100 to limit retraction of slider joint68 relative tojaws16.

The operation ofsurgical clip applier10 to crimp a surgical clip around a target tissue, such as, for example, a vessel, will now be described. With reference toFIGS. 35 and 36,trigger18 is in a generally uncompressed state withyoke24 biased to a proximal-most position byreturn spring32. As best shown inFIGS. 37-42, and with initial reference toFIG. 38, in an unfired state,trip lever96 carried byspindle60, biased upwardly by biasingspring98, is positioned adjacent to, and in contact with, a slot infeed bar82.Trip block84 is in a distal position relative totrip lever96.

Referring toFIG. 39,follower74 is biased distally by aspring76 such that clips72 are biased in a distal direction.

Referring toFIG. 40,spindle60 andfeed bar82 are stationery withlatch retractor128 biased to an upward position.

Referring toFIG. 41,flexible leg152 offiller component102 is in thedistal window138 ofwedge plate100. Raisedfeature118 onspindle60 is proximal offlexible leg152.

As best shown inFIG. 42, at the distal end ofsurgical clip applier10, when at rest in an unfired state,wedge plate100 and feedbar82 are in a proximal-most position relative tojaws16.

FIGS. 43-47 illustrate the initial at rest position of thewedge plate100,jaws16 andfiller component102.

Referring initially toFIGS. 43 and 44, as shown,wedge plate100 is in a proximal-most position relative tojaws16. As shown inFIG. 43,flexible leg152 is indistal window138 ofwedge plate100, while cam link104 is in a proximal-most position relative tocam slot136 inwedge plate100.

As best shown inFIGS. 45 and 46,wedge plate100 is in a proximal most position relative tojaws16 withdistal tip134 proximal of cam edges178 ofjaws16.

Referring toFIG. 47,wedge plate100 is in a proximal-most position relative tofiller component102, such that drivingedge166 ofwedge plate100 is proximal of disengagingedge150 offiller component102.

Referring toFIG. 48, to initiate actuation ofclip applier10,trigger18 is moved through an initial swing as shown by arrow A such that link26drives yoke24 distally as shown by arrow B. As best shown inFIG. 49, asyoke24 is driven distally in the direction of arrow C, rackteeth40 onrack38 slide overpawl teeth44 onpawl42. With reference for the moment toFIG. 50, if thetrigger18 is released at this point, rackteeth40 would restrainpawl teeth44 against proximal motion, preventing release oftrigger18 and partial or inadvertent partial actuation ofsurgical clip applier10.

During the initial stroke,spindle60 moves a predetermined distance. With regard toFIG. 51, asspindle60 is driven an initial distal distance,trip lever96 engages elongatedwindow106feed bar82 and moves feedbar82 distally a similar distance. As shown inFIGS. 42 & 51, asfeed bar82 is driven distally and aclip72 is driven intojaws16,follower74 moves distally (FIG. 52) due to the bias ofspring76 to urge the stack ofsurgical clips72 distally.

Referring toFIGS. 53 and 54, asspindle60 andfeed bar82 move distally,spindle60 drives cam link104 distally an initial distance such thatcam link boss164 oncam link104 engageswedge plate100. As shown,flexible leg152 offiller component102 is positioned indistal-most window138 ofwedge plate100.

As shown inFIG. 55, as cam link104 moves distally withspindle60,cam link boss164 engages drivingedge166 onwedge plate100 to urgewedge plate100 distally relative tofiller component102.

Referring toFIG. 56, asfeed bar82 moves distally,pusher108 at the distal end offeed bar82 engages aclip72 and begins to urgeclip72 intojaws16. Notably, at this point,spindle60 has not yet contacteddriver66, thereby preventing compression ofjaws16 prior to full insertion ofsurgical clip72.

Turning again toFIG. 55, assurgical clip applier10 is actuated through a further second predetermined distance,cam boss164 oncam link104 continues to drivewedge plate100 distally andflexible leg152 is cammed out ofdistal window138 and intoproximal window140 bycam surface168 to engagewedge plate100 withfiller component102. As shown inFIGS. 57 & 58, at this point, feedbar82,wedge plate100,spindle60, clips72 and follower74 (FIG. 52) are all moving in a distal-most direction.

Referring toFIG. 59,feed bar82 continues to urgepusher108 at the distal end offeed bar82 against asurgical clip72 to urgeclip72 intochannel22 injaws16.Surgical clips72 contained inchannel70 are biased in a distal direction by follower74 (FIG. 52) and wedge plate100 (FIG. 54) continues to move distally whiledriver66 remains stationery relative toelongated tubular member14.

Referring toFIG. 60, asspindle60 is moved further,cam boss164 ofcam link104 is cammed out of engagement with drivingedge166 ofwedge plate100 by means of disengagingedge150 formed infiller component102 as best shown by the arrows inFIG. 60. During this further stroke of a predetermined distance,flexible leg152 offiller component102 snaps intoproximal window140 ofwedge plate100, thereby preventing retraction ofwedge plate100 from its distal-most position.

As shown inFIG. 61,flexible leg152 is positioned withinproximal window140 ofwedge plate100, thereby restrainingwedge plate100 against retraction, whilefeed bar82 andspindle60 continue to move in a distal direction as shown by the arrows.

As shown inFIGS. 62-63,distal tip134 ofwedge plate100 urgesjaw members16aand16bapart by engagingcam surfaces178 injaw members16aand16b. As noted above, by positioningwedge plate100 in cam surfaces178 ofjaw members16aand16b,wedge plate100 not only spreads thejaws16 apart to properly receivesurgical slip72, but additionally restrains eachindividual jaw member16aand16bfrom flexing with respect to each other, thereby preventing any torque ofclip72 as it is being inserted intojaws16.

Referring toFIG. 64, as noted above,flexible leg152 restrainswedge plate100 from proximal retraction while cam link104 continues to advance throughslots148 and136 in filler component102 (FIG. 64) andwedge plate100.

As best shown inFIG. 65, asspindle60 continues to move distally through the stroke,trip lever96 is urged distally withspindle60 untiltrip lever96 engages camming surface110 (SeeFIG. 10D) oftrip block84. Ascamming surface110 oftrip block84 is urged againsttrip lever96,trip lever96 will be cammed out of engagement withelongated window106 offeed bar82 allowingfeed bar82 to return to a proximal position due to the bias of feed bar spring88 (seeFIG. 10).

Referring for the moment toFIG. 66, asspindle60 continues to move through its stroke, raisedfeature118 onspindle60 begins to camflexible leg152 out ofproximal window140 ofwedge plate100, so that thewedge plate100 will be able to retract prior to, and so that,surgical clip72 is crimped betweenjaws16. This is best illustrated inFIG. 67 wherefeed bar82 has fully insertedclip72 withinjaws16 andwedge plate100 has retracted to a proximal-most position.

FIG. 68 illustratestrip lever96 being cammed out of engagement withfeed bar82 bycamming surface110 oftrip block84 and against the bias of biasingspring98 such thatfeed bar82 is disengaged fromtrip lever96 andfeed bar82 can start to retract proximally. As shown, inFIG. 69,pusher108 offeed bar82 is retracted to a proximal position behind the next distalmost clip72 aswedge plate100 retracts leavingclip72 inserted intojaws16.

Referring toFIG. 70,trip lever96 is completely cammed down bycam surface110 ontrip block84 andspindle60 continues to move distally through a further predetermined stroke.

Referring for the moment toFIG. 71, aswedge plate100 retracts proximally whilespindle60 continues to move distally,flexible leg152 onfiller component102 snaps intodistal window138 ofwedge plate100. As shown inFIG. 72,wedge plate100 is retracted to a proximal position relative tojaws16.

Referring toFIG. 73, whenlatch retractor128 is cammed downwardly relative tospindle60,spindle60 has moved distally to a predetermined distance. The action ofspindle60, now engagingdriver66, pushesdriver66 distally.Driver66 draws slider joint68 and simultaneously slider joint68 drags latchretractor128 distally mechanically forcing cam surface no. oflatch retractor128 downward to underside ofjaw pad172 and engaginglatch retractor128 withslot126 ofspindle60.

Referring toFIGS. 74-75, astrigger18 is fully compressed to drivespindle60 to a distal-most position,rack38 clearspawl42 so that the entire drive assembly can retract when the trigger is released. Notably, a full stroke of thespindle60 is required to take aclip72 from an initial position to a fully inserted position in thejaws16. Asspindle60 moves through its distal-most position, it movesdriver66 in the manner described hereinabove to crimp asurgical clip72. For example, referring toFIGS. 76-79,driver66 advances distally relative to camming surfaces160 onjaws16aand16b, such that camming surfaces184 ondriver66cam jaws16aand16bclosed thereby closingsurgical clip72 contained therebetween.

Referring for the moment toFIG. 80, a security mechanism is provided to prevent an overstroke condition and thereby excessive compression ofclip72 from damaging, tissue,jaws16 ordriver66. Iftrigger18 is continued to be squeezed past a stroke required for a full forming ofclip72impact spring56 compresses within the space defined betweenknob20 andbushing48 thereby preventing any further distal movement ofspindle60.

A fully formed clip formed about vessel V is illustrated inFIG. 81.

Referring toFIG. 82, astrigger18 is released (not shown),pawl42 rotates against the bias ofpawl spring46 such thatpawl teeth44 ride alongrack teeth40 to reset the handle assembly. As shown inFIG. 83, whendriver66 retracts,latch retractor128 is again biased up into its upper-most position, thereby, resetting the drive mechanism.

Referring toFIGS. 84-86, asspindle60 retracts, raisedfeature118 ofspindle60 moves pastflexible leg152 infiller component102. It should be noted thatwedge plate100 does not move as it has already fully retracted. Asspindle60 retracts, it draws cam link104 proximally withinslots136 and148 ofwedge plate100 andfiller component102 to its initial position. As best seen inFIG. 86, in this position,clip applier10 is again in an initial position to be refired and thus to attach another clip to a vessel.

Claims (9)

1. An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue, which comprises:

a) a handle portion;

b) a body extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis;

c) a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the body;

d) a jaw assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body, the jaw assembly including first and second jaw portions movable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position;

e) a wedge plate longitudinally movable between the first and the second jaw portions;

f) a clip pusher configured to individually distally advance a surgical clip to the jaw assembly while the jaw portions are in the spaced apart position;

g) an actuator at least partially disposed within the body and longitudinally movable in response to actuation of the handle portion, the actuator having a cam link mounted thereto and being in operative cooperation with the wedge plate; and

h) a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the first and second jaw portions to move the jaw portions to the approximated position, wherein said cam link longitudinally moves said wedge plate between the first and the second jaw portions,

wherein said wedge plate:

biases the first and the second jaw portions when said wedge plate is longitudinally moved between the first and the second jaw portions; and

maintains said first and said second jaw portions in a fixed predetermined relationship during loading of said clip, said fixed predetermined relationship preventing flexing of the first and the second jaw members during clip loading; and

wherein said wedge plate has:

a first proximal window adapted to be engaged by a member disposed in said body, said member being configured to hold said wedge plate in a distal most position, said distal most position being between said first and said second jaw members; and

a second proximal window adapted to be engaged by said member, said second proximal window configured to hold said wedge plate in a proximal most position being retracted from said first and said second jaw members, said proximal most position of said wedge plate configured to allow the first and the second jaw members to be moved to the approximated position to compress said clip.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said wedge plate has a rounded distal tip.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said first proximal window is connected to said second proximal window by a longitudinal slot.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said member is movable from said second proximal window to first proximal window by moving said wedge plate distally.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said cam link is engageable with a cam slot in said wedge plate, wherein said cam slot is has a driving edge.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said member is a flexible leg.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein said cam slot has a proximal side and a distal side, wherein at said distal side said cam link traverses past said driving edge at a demarcation line, and wherein at said demarcation line said cam link terminates distal movement of said wedge plate.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein said wedge plate further comprises a biasing device, and wherein at said demarcation line the disengagement between said cam link and said driving edge permits said biasing device to retract said wedge plate.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said cam link disengages said wedge plate at said demarcation line, and wherein the disengagement of said cam link permits retraction of said rounded distal end from between said first and said second jaw members.

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